Chief Rita Lori Empowers The Itsekiri Youths, Courtesy FG FED MIN of Agric empowerment program

Warri - When in October last year, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture promised to significantly boost commercial agriculture among Itsekiri communities in Delta State, skeptics had taken it as empty political statement. Last week Tuesday, however, that promise was partly fulfilled in no small measures as the Ministry boosted commercial fishing among Itsekiri communities with provision of fishing boats, nets and other gears to fishermen in the area.
How the gesture was facilitated by activist and Igba of Warri, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor who had made a case for empowerment of her people on the strength of the viable agriculture potentials in Itsekiri land, a challenge that was confirmed by the Ministry during a fact finding visit to the area.

The Items distributed at the Warri Club jetty, Warri South council area, of the state include ten 40hp, four 25hp, ten 15hp and one 30 hp Yamaha outboard engines to power 25 boats usable for various fishing activities as well as nets and floaters.

Addressing the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, palace chiefs and other dignitaries present on the occasion, Chief Lori-Ogbebor said the fulfillment of the agricultural support meant history repeating itself in the Itsekiri nation. She said: “Twenty five years ago under the leadership of the Olu, we identified fishing as an area of comparative advantage for the Itsekiri nation to create gainful jobs to as many of our sons as possible as a measure for strengthening Itsekiri economically and peacefully too.

“For a start, Ogiame bought some fishing boats and engines while I took charge of the day-to- day running and management of the project. Some of the graduates of the school proceeded for further capacity building at the Lagos Sea School.”

She said the full dream of that project was, however, not satisfactorily realised because politicians and the local government saw it as threat to their authority and were indifferent to support the project which she felt could have put Itsekiri nation in the forefront of the fishing industry.

“Today history is repeating itself as the Federal Agric Ministry has granted this support for us to start the journey for growing a real fishing industry… having done fact finding and got convinced that fishing is our first love as Itsekiri. Consciously we shall not make the mistakes of yesterday. Let me sound it clear that this is not APC or PDP affair."

"This is not politics. It is a clear concern to make life meaningful to our people and so we will ensure that only real fishermen benefit and beneficiaries will pay back the cost of the tools interest-free to enable us recover funds to benefit others in waiting,” she stated."

Felix Kehis, Delta State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, who represented the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said the intention of the Ministry is to ensure that beneficiaries fully develop competence in management of the fishing chain which involves catching the fish, transporting, processing and marketing(it).”

The high point of the event was the Olu’s presentation of the key of one of the fishing boat to Pa Dennis Olubami, the Olare-Aja of Ogheye-Dimighun community to kick-start the distribution of the materials to the people.

The Olu prayed profusely for God’s blessing upon the project and to the facilitator and hoping that it creates a lasting impression that would grow beyond imaginations in the interest of his subjects and the Itsekiri nation.

Pa Olubami, while expressing the people’s appreciation on behalf of beneficiaries said: “Today is a great day. Lack of basic tools, especially boats, have been a big limitation against developing the fishing trade among our people many of whom have had to contend with small dug-out canoes which can hardly go into deep water.

“We appreciate the Ministry and Chief Lori-Ogbebor, believing that the gesture will sure boost our daily catches which will translate to increased sales and better life for majority of the locals who depend on this business for survival. Through this development we can now empower as many persons as possible and in the long run evolve a truly enduring fishery industry in Itsekiri nation.”